Posts with tag 'Homeowner Tips'

Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint in your home. Adding a coat of paint is an affordable and accessible way to make your home extra enticing to potential buyers.

If you're planning on selling your home in 2020, you might want to consider getting your paintbrush ready. 

Our real estate agents have seven cost-effective painting projects to help you sell your home in 2020.

1. Understand Neutrals
   Grandma's turquoise farmhouse might be the talk of the neighborhood, but it won't be the top choice for new family offers. Stick with a neutral palette when repainting your interior or exterior. Bright colors are most often a personal choice, and it will be unlikely to find a shopper with the same taste in orange as yourself. A neutral color offers potential buyers a blank canvas they can make their own. 

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To move or to improve—that is the question. Don't worry—plenty of homeowners are faced with the same dilemma when considering purchasing new Augusta homes for sale.

Our real estate agents believe that if buying your first home is the biggest real estate decision of your life, then deciding whether to remodel or sell your home is the second-biggest real estate decision you'll make. If you're like many homeowners, you've been struggling to make a choice. On the one hand, a new home is an exciting thought. A new space in a new area—now may be the perfect time to move. On the other hand, although you're no longer in love with your home, you still have a coveted attachment to it. Why not give it a second life by remodeling a few rooms, upgrading some appliances or even adding an extension on for more space?

If you're wondering whether it's time to move or improve, consider these questions:

• Why do you want to move?
  This question is the most important: Why are you considering changing homes? Perhaps you've become disinterested in your neighborhood, maybe you don't want to contend with the seasonal weather changes. You could simply be unhappy with work or school and believe that moving with help resolve these feelings. Whatever the reason might be, it's important that you identify it and discuss it openly with your household.

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Home buyers know which features they want to see in Augusta homes for sale—do you? As a seller, you want to position your home for success, but this means more than just updating the kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. Even though interior features like smart appliances and gorgeous countertops do entice buyers to purchase your home, you can't forget that buyers also desire fantastic exterior features. Our real estate agents want to help you get the most of your home, that's why we've identified the top five exterior features buyers desire in their new Augusta homes.

1. Energy Efficient Windows
   Summers in Augusta can reach temperatures in the 80s, while winter can drop those numbers into the teens. Attractive-looking windows can increase curb appeal, but if they aren't energy efficient, they aren't a buyer's first choice. Energy efficient windows regulate the heat that enters and exits the home. Old windows that aren't energy efficient or are in poor condition are one of the most common issues found during a home inspection. These features are expensive to replace, which means that buyers are willing to pay more for a home with new energy efficient windows to save themselves the hassle.

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It's a question that our real estate agents get asked all the time. When should you pay off your mortgage early, and when shouldn't you? It would seem that if one can pay off debt sooner rather than later, then there's no reason not to do so. But of course, mortgages are a bit more complex, and the answer depends on a variety of factors. 

Your Situation is Unique

The biggest advantage of paying off your mortgage early is saving money on interest costs. Just like any loan, the longer you take to pay off your mortgage, the more you'll end up paying in interest. It's worth noting that a 15-year mortgage comes with a much lower interest rate than the more common 30-year mortgage. 

Still, there are certain situations in which financial experts tend to advise against paying off a mortgage early. For example, if you're locked into a 30-year mortgage at a low interest rate, you can reap greater financial rewards by investing your money elsewhere rather than using it to repay your mortgage.

But for many homeowners, there are financial benefits to paying off your home loan early. And just as importantly, it's not always purely a financial decision. It's also an emotional one. The relief that comes with being free from debt is no small thing. It comes down to what you value the most. 

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Let's face it, winter weather in Maine isn't always fun and games. When the wind starts to kick up, and the ground is covered with ice and snow, most potential home buyers would rather hunker down in front of the fireplace than venture out to look at Augusta homes for sale. 

While summertime open houses are easy to prepare, setting one up in winter brings its own set of challenges. It's likely that you won't get as much foot traffic, so you'll want to do everything you can to put your best foot forward. These five tips will help you spruce up your home and increase your chances of closing a deal. 

1. Avoid a Slippery Situation
   First impressions are everything, and the last thing you want is for a potential home buyer to fall on their way into the house. Shovel a complete path all the way from the street to the front door. De-ice the driveway, sidewalk, and front porch to make it as safe as possible. 
   
   

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